US Senate leader may allow vote on assault weapons ban

January 22, 2013|Reuters

By Thomas Ferraro

WASHINGTON, Jan 22 (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Majority LeaderHarry Reid, a Democrat, signaled on Tuesday that despite earlierindications to the contrary, he may allow a vote on a possibleban on assault weapons.

Reid, a longtime gun-rights advocate from Nevada, recentlyhad indicated he would not permit a vote because theRepublican-led House of Representatives likely won't go alongwith such a prohibition.

Powerful gun-rights groups oppose a ban on assault weaponsand could seek to unseat any lawmaker who backs it, as they havetried to do in the past.

But after a weekly meeting on Tuesday with fellow SenateDemocrats, Reid told reporters that he expects "to have a freeamendment process" on gun legislation.

That process could result in other Democrats proposing apossible resurrection of a 10-year ban on semi-automatic assaultweapons that expired in 2004.

President Barack Obama proposed a package of measures lastweek to combat gun violence that includes a ban on assaultweapons, limits on high-capacity ammunition clips, expandedmental health treatments and improved school security.

Reid said he expects the Senate Judiciary Committee, whichopens hearings next week on proposals by Obama and others, toproduce a bill. It is unclear if the measure will include a banon assault weapons.

"It may not be everything everyone wants. But I hope it hasstuff that is really important," Reid told reporters.

A series of shootings in the last two months, including oneat an elementary school in Newton, Connecticut, in which 20children and six educators were slain, has triggered a renewed national debate on gun control.